Technology for managing priorities for on-site prescription pickup

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods may be provided that may enable an individual to retrieve one or more prescription products (e.g., product refills) from a self-service retrieval location such as a counter, drive-thru, drop box, or kiosk. The individual may identify a medical prescription, and a unique-machine readable code may be generated, wherein the code is associated with the medical prescription and a particular station at an identified retrieval location. The unique machine-readable code may be transmitted to a computing device of the individual, who may scan the code at particular station to retrieve one or more prescription products associated with the medical prescription.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing dateof U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/521,359, which was filedJun. 16, 2017, and entitled “TECHNOLOGY FOR MANAGING PRIORITIES FORON-SITE PRESCRIPTION PICKUP,” the entire disclosure of which is herebyexpressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This application relates generally relates to self-service prescriptionprocessing, and more particularly, to technology that may enablegeneration of a unique machine-readable code redeemable to obtainprescription products from a particular station at a self-servicelocation.

BACKGROUND

Generally, an individual (e.g., a patient, or a parent or caregiver ofthe patient), receiving a medical prescription or a refill thereof for aprescription product (e.g., a medication or a medical device) may berequired to complete a multitude of tasks prior to receipt of theprescription product. For example, acquiring the prescription productmay require the patient to verify the patient's identity or otherpersonal information, consult a physician and or pharmacist, pay for theprescription product, manually drop off a prescription refill order at apharmacy counter, retrieve the prescription refill at the pharmacycounter at a later time, acknowledge receipt, and/or other tasks. Inpractice, these tasks may place a significant burden on the patient andcause undue or even dangerous delay in receipt of the prescriptionproduct.

SUMMARY

A mobile and/or native desktop application for prescription processingmay be provided to a patient and/or to a representative of the patient.The application may generally enable the patient or representative toindependently complete vital prescription processing tasks. Uponcompletion, the application may issue a unique machine-readable code (a“prescription pass”) associated with the medical prescription and aparticular station at a retrieval location, wherein the code isredeemable to retrieve one or more prescription products associated withthe medical prescription.

In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for generating a uniquemachine-readable code redeemable to retrieve one or more prescriptionproducts may be provided. The method may include (1) receiving, via oneor more processors, an indication of a medical prescription for one ormore prescription products, wherein the indication originates from acomputing device of an individual intending to retrieve the one or moreprescription products, and wherein the indication identifies a retrievallocation for the one or more prescription products; (2) identifying, viathe one or more processors and based upon a completion status associatedwith the medical prescription, a particular retrieval station of aplurality of retrieval stations associated with the retrieval location;(3) generating, via the one or more processors, a notificationassociated with retrieval of the one or more prescription products, thenotification (i) comprising a unique machine-readable code, and (ii)identifying the particular retrieval station, and/or (4) transmitting,to the computing device via the one or more processors, thenotification. The method may include additional, fewer, or alternateactions, included those described herein

In another embodiment, a system configured to generate a uniquemachine-readable code redeemable to retrieve one or more prescriptionproducts may be provided. The system may include (1) one or moreprocessors, and (2) one or more memories storing computer-executableinstructions that, when executed via the one or more processors, causethe one or more processors to: (i) receive, via one or more processors,an indication of a medical prescription for one or more prescriptionproducts, wherein the indication originates from a computing device ofan individual intending to retrieve the one or more prescriptionproducts, and wherein the indication identifies a retrieval location forthe one or more prescription products; (ii) identify, via the one ormore processors and based upon a completion status associated with themedical prescription, a particular retrieval station of a plurality ofretrieval stations associated with the retrieval location; (iii)generate, via the one or more processors, a notification associated withretrieval of the one or more prescription products, the notification (a)comprising a unique machine-readable code, and (b) identifying theparticular retrieval station; and/or (iv) transmit, to the computingdevice, the notification. The system may include additional, fewer, oralternate components and/or actions, including those described herein.

In yet another embodiment, one or more computer-readable media may beprovided. The one or more computer-readable media may storenon-transitory executable instructions that, when executed via one ormore processors, cause the one or more processors to: (1) receive, viaone or more processors, an indication of a medical prescription for oneor more prescription products, wherein the indication originates from acomputing device of an individual intending to retrieve the one or moreprescription products, and wherein the indication identifies a retrievallocation for the one or more prescription products; (2) identify, viathe one or more processors and based upon a completion status associatedwith the medical prescription, a particular retrieval station of aplurality of retrieval stations associated with the retrieval location;(3) generate, via the one or more processors, a notification associatedwith retrieval of the one or more prescription products, thenotification (i) comprising a unique machine-readable code, and (ii)identifying the particular retrieval station; and/or (4) transmit, tothe computing device, the notification. The one or morecomputer-readable media may include additional, fewer, or alternateinstructions, including those described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an overview of components and entities associated withthe systems and methods described herein, in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 2 depicts an enhanced view of a computing device depictedpreviously in FIG. 1, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3 depicts an example signal diagram associated with acquiring aprescription pass application.

FIG. 4 depicts an example signal diagram associated with generating aunique machine-readable code redeemable to retrieve one or moreprescription products, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 5 depicts an example signal diagram associated with issuing one ormore prescription products, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 6 depicts an example signal diagram associated with “drive-thru”retrieval of one or more prescription products, in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 7 depicts an example computer-implemented method for generating aunique machine-readable code redeemable to retrieve one or moreprescription products;

FIG. 8 depicts an example computer-implemented method for issuing one ormore prescription products; and

FIG. 9 depicts another example computer-implemented method forgenerating a unique machine readable code redeemable to retrieve one ormore prescription products.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present embodiments may relate, inter alia, to technology (e.g., amobile, desktop, or web application) to enable a user (e.g., a medicalpatient, or a parent or caregiver thereof) to retrieve (i.e., “pick up”)one or more prescription products. According to certain aspects, a usermay utilize the application to identify a new prescription orprescription refill and a location at which the user will retrieve thecorresponding one or more prescription products. Identifying thepharmacy location may include identifying a particular point ofretrieval (e.g., a pharmacy counter, kiosk, or drop box) within a venue(e.g., a pharmacy or a hospital) from which the user will retrieve theprescription product.

The user may further utilize the technology described herein to performone or more tasks that may be necessary to retrieve the prescriptionproduct. For example, in some embodiments, the user may utilize thetechnology to provide identification, provide payment, designate one ormore notifications for retrieval, and/or consult a remotely-locatedpharmacist by text, audio, and/or video communication session.

In any case, upon completion of any necessary steps, the technologydescribed herein may provide the user with a “prescription pass” (e.g.,a barcode, QR code, audio signal stored on an electronic device, etc.)that is redeemable to retrieve one or more prescription products. Theuser may bring the prescription pass to the point of retrieval, wherescanning the prescription pass may identify the user, prescription,and/or prescription product(s) to be retrieved. Upon retrieval of theone or more prescription products, the user may complete any additionalsteps (e.g., receipt acknowledgement, agreement of a privacy notice,payment, etc.) that may be required to complete the prescriptionretrieval process.

In some embodiments, as will be described herein, the technology mayprovide additional features. For example, the technology may enable auser to provide payment for the one or more prescription products,and/or utilize an audio-video feature to connect to a remotely-locatedpharmacist to receive counseling related to the medical prescriptionand/or the one or more prescription products.

In some embodiments, the prescription pass may be transferable. Apatient, for example, may transfer a prescription pass to an electronicdevice of another person such as a parent, guardian, or caregiver, suchthat the other person may retrieve the one or more prescriptionproducts.

The technology described herein may generally be implemented via acomputer-implemented application, and the application may be configuredto run on a mobile device (e.g., a smartphone), a laptop computer, atablet, a desktop computer, etc. Accordingly, the functions of thetechnology may, for ease of description, often be described herein asbeing performed via an application, in particular a mobile smartphoneapplication. It should be appreciated, however, that otherimplementations (e.g., via a web browser, via SMS text communication,etc.) may be possible.

The technology described herein therefore offers numerous benefits. Inparticular, systems and methods described herein may facilitateprescription/refill retrieval by connecting conventionally disparatesteps of the prescription refill retrieval process through a unifiedapplication. Further, the application, and in particular theprescription pass, may enable self-service functionality for a userseeking a new prescription or a prescription refill. Additionally, useof the prescription technology may enable significantly fasterprescription processing and retrieval, compared to conventional methods.

Thus, the technology described in this application addresses challengesthat are unique to prescription issuance and management. Conventionally,a patient retrieving a prescription may be required to perform disparatetasks in order to obtain a prescription product. The technologydescribed herein offers the benefits of increasing the timeliness ofprescription delivery, bettering the ability of a user to trackprescription products, and potentially increasing user confidence in theprescription experience.

As used herein, a “user” also referred to herein as an “individual,” mayrefer to a person who uses the technology described herein to facilitatethe retrieval of the prescription product. Accordingly, the user may bethe patient for whom the prescription was issued. Alternatively, theuser may be a parent, a guardian, or otherwise a caregiver for theperson for whom the prescription was issued, and the user may utilizethe technology to retrieve the prescription product on behalf of thepatient for whom the prescription was issued.

As used herein, a “prescription” may refer to an instruction (e.g., awritten instruction) given by a physician, authorizing a patient to beprovided one or more prescription products (e.g., a medication or amedical device). However, in some instances, a “prescription” may referto the prescription product itself. A prescription may include a“prescription refill” which, as used herein, may refer to an instructionor authorization for the patient to be provided a partial or completerefill or replacement of at least one of the one or more prescriptionproducts, and additionally or alternatively may refer to the refilled orreplaced one or more prescription products themselves. Whileprescription refills are sometimes described herein, it should beunderstood that the technology described herein may additionally oralternatively be used for retrieval of a newly prescription product.Furthermore, it is particularly noted that instances of “a prescriptionproduct” described herein, one or more than one prescription productsmay be envisioned, unless specifically indicated otherwise.

FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of a system 100 of components configuredto facilitate the systems and methods described herein. It should beappreciated that the system 100 is merely an example system. Othersystems, including those with additional, fewer, or differentcomponents, may be possible in some embodiments.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the system 100 may include a user 110 havingor interacting with an electronic device 114. The user 110 may be, forexample, an individual to whom a medical prescription is prescribed(also referred to herein as a “patient”), or a parent, guardian, orother caregiver who is authorized to provide care (e.g., request andretrieve prescription products) on behalf of the patient. In any case,the user 110 may generally utilize the electronic device 114 to performactions described herein to facilitate issuance of a prescription passand redemption of the prescription pass at a point of retrieval system140. The actions described herein may be performed via an applicationrunning on the electronic device 114, for example.

The electronic device 114 may be for example, a smartphone, a tablet, alaptop computer, a desktop computer, a smart wearable device, or anothersuitable computing device. While one electronic device 114 is depictedin FIG. 1, it should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the usermay utilize a combination of two or more electronic devices 114 toperform actions described herein. Components of the electronic device114 will be discussed in further detail with regard to FIG. 2.

The electronic device 114 may be configured to communicate with othercomponents of the system 100 over one or more networks 180. Inembodiments, the network(s) 180 may support any suitable type of datacommunication via any suitable standard or technology (e.g., GSM, CDMA,TDMA, WCDMA, LTE, EDGE, OFDM, GPRS, EV-DO, UWB, Internet, IEEE 802including Ethernet, WiMAX, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and others). Accordingly,the network(s) 180 may include one or more wired connections, one ormore wireless connections, or some combination thereof. The network(s)180 may include one or more public networks, one or more privatenetworks, or some combination thereof.

The system 100 may further include one or more backend processingservers 120. Generally, the processing server(s) 120 may be configuredto communicate with other components of the system 100 over thenetwork(s) 180, to implement backend functionality of an application forissuing and/or redeeming a prescription pass, for example. Components ofthe processing server(s) 120 will be discussed in further detail withregard to FIG. 2.

The system 100 may further include a point of retrieval system 140.Generally, as described herein, a point of retrieval system 140 may bedisposed at a location (a “point of retrieval,” such as a pharmacycounter, drop box, or kiosk) within a venue (e.g., a hospital orpharmacy), at which one or more prescription products may be retrieved.The point of retrieval system 140 may generally be configured todispense one or more prescription products upon scanning andidentification of the prescription pass' unique machine readable codeassociated with the prescription and one or more prescription products,as will be described further herein.

It should be understood that, in some embodiments, the point ofretrieval system 140 (i.e., the components thereof to be describedherein) may be disposed at a multiplicity of locations (e.g., a chain ofpharmacies, multiple pharmacy counters, kiosks, and/or drop boxes withina particular pharmacy, etc.). Accordingly, though retrieval ofprescription products at one particular point of retrieval (and hence,one point of retrieval system 140) may be discussed herein, it should beunderstood that many point of retrieval systems 140 may be possible, insome embodiments, with each point of retrieval system 140 correspondingto a possible point of retrieval for prescription products. In suchembodiments, the point of retrieval system 140 may communicate over thenetwork(s) 180.

The point of retrieval system 140 may include one or more memories 142(e.g., RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, removable memory, etc.), one or moreprocessors 144. The memory 142 may store an operating system capable offacilitating the functionalities of point of retrieval system 140described herein, as well as one or more applications (i.e., machinereadable instructions). The memory 142 may further store informationpertaining to patients, representatives of patients, medicalprescriptions, prescription products stored at the point of retrieval,payment management, receipt acknowledgement, etc.

The point of retrieval system 140 may include one or more userinterfaces 146 which may display and/or receive (via a screen, audio,etc.) prompts or other information to a user via one or moreinput/output (I/O) units 148 (e.g., a touchscreen, audio unit, keypad,etc.). Generally, the user interface(s) 146 and the I/O unit(s) 148 maybe utilized to perform any tasks that may be necessary before, at thetime of, or after dispensing of prescription products.

The point of retrieval system 140 may include one or more scanning units150. The one or more scanning units 150 may include, for example, abarcode reader, a two-dimensional matrix barcode (e.g., QR code) reader,an alphanumeric code reader, an audio receiver, and/or another suitabletechnology capable of detecting and identifying a uniquemachine-readable code associated with a medical prescription for one ormore prescription products.

In some embodiments, the point of retrieval system 140 may include oneor more automatic dispensing units 152 configured to dispense one ormore prescription products upon identification of the medicalprescription and/or the prescription product(s) with which theprescription is associated. In some embodiments, the automaticdispensing unit 152 may be omitted, and at least some of the tasksthereof may be performed by a human operator (e.g., a patient orpharmacist) of the point of retrieval system 140.

The point of retrieval system 140 may further include one or morecommunication modules 155. In some embodiments, the communicationmodule(s) 155 may include one or more transceivers (e.g., WWAN, WLAN,and/or WPAN transceivers, etc.) functioning in accordance with IEEEstandards, 3GPP standards, or other standards. Generally, thecommunication module(s) 128 may be configured to send and/or receivedata to facilitate actions of the point of retrieval system 140described herein. The point of retrieval system 140 may, for example,communicate with the server(s) 120 to send, retrieve, and/or verifyinformation associated with an individual retrieving prescriptionproducts, identify a unique machine-readable code associated with amedical prescription, receive payment, etc. In some embodiments, thefunctions of the communication module(s) 154 may be integrated in theprocessor(s) 144.

The system 100 may further include a central pharmacy operations (CPO)system 160. Generally, the CPO system 160 may provide services toretrieval locations and individuals, including enabling an individual(e.g., a patient or an individual retrieving prescription product(s) onbehalf of the patient to consult a remotely located pharmacist or otherprofessional prior to, during, or after retrieval of the prescriptionproduct(s). Accordingly, the CPO system 160 may include one or morecomputing devices 162 operated by one or more remotely locatedpharmacists or physicians 164 to communicate with a user 110 of theelectronic device 114 via the network(s) 180. Functions and actions ofthe CPO system 160 will be described in further detail herein.

FIG. 2 depicts a detailed view of an electronic device 114 and aprocessing server 120 communicating via the network(s) 180. Theelectronic device 114 may be a device owned and/or used by theindividual 110 to perform the actions described herein. The electronicdevice 114 may be, for example, a mobile phone (e.g., smartphone), atablet, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a smart wearable device,or another suitable electronic device. Multiple electronic devices 114may be possible, and may include a combination of the devices listedabove. Further, additional, fewer, or alternate components of theelectronic device 114 may be possible, in some embodiments.

In any case, the electronic device 114 may include one or more memories202 (e.g., RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, removable memory, etc.). The one ormore memories 202 may include an operating system 204 capable offacilitating the functions of the electronic device 114 describedherein. The one or more memories 202 may further include one or moreapplications 206, one or more of which may be executed via one or moreprocessors 208 to perform the functions described herein (e.g., a“prescription pass application”). The electronic device 114 may furtherinclude one or more communication modules 210. In some embodiments, thecommunication module(s) 128 may include one or more transceivers (e.g.,WWAN, WLAN, and/or WPAN transceivers, etc.) functioning in accordancewith IEEE standards, 3GPP standards, or other standards. Generally, thecommunication module(s) 210 may be configured to communicate via acommunicative connection to the network(s) 180 via one or more externalports 212, to communicate with the processing server(s) 120, the pointof retrieval system 140, and/or the CPO system 160, as described herein.In some embodiments, the communication module(s) 210 may be integratedin the one or more processors 208.

The electronic device 114 may further include one or more userinterfaces 214, which may be configured to enable the user 110 to usethe electronic device 114 to perform the actions described herein. Theuser interface(s) 214 may include a display screen 216, via which theuser 110 may, for example, view medical prescriptions, prescriptionproducts, and/or issued prescription passes (e.g., view a QR code to bescanned at a point of retrieval). The user interface(s) 214 may furtherinclude one or more input/output (I/O) units 218 (e.g., a touchscreen,keypad, stylus, mouse, etc.), which may enable user participation in aprescription pass application described herein, for example.

In some embodiments, the electronic device may further include one ormore speakers 220 and/or one or more microphones 222, which may enablethe electronic device 114 to provide audio output and/or receive audioinput, respectively, to enable at least some aspects of the technologydescribed herein. For example, in some embodiments, the speaker 220 mayprovide one or more prompts (e.g., a prompt to select a medicalprescription, or to provide identifying information such as a phonenumber) to the user 110, and the microphone 222 may, for example,receive one or more user selections of the prompts and/or otherapplication navigation instructions. Additionally or alternatively, theuser 110 may utilize the speaker 220, the microphone 222, and/or acamera 224 to conduct an audio/video consultation session with aremotely-located physician or pharmacist, enabling the user 110 toreceive counseling regarding a prescription or product before, during,or after product retrieval, for example.

The one or more processing server(s) 120 may include one or morememories 242 (e.g., RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, removable memory, etc.) aswell as one or more processors 248. The one or more memories 242 maystore an operating system 244 that may be executed via the one or moreprocessors 248 to execute the functions of the processing server(s) 120described herein, via one or more applications 250, for example. The oneor more memories 246 may further store prescription data 246 (e.g., datapertaining to patients, prescription passes, medical prescriptions,products, and the like. Accordingly, the processing server(s) 120 may beassociated with, for example, a hospital, a pharmacy, or somecombination thereof.

The processing server(s) 120 may additionally include one or morecommunication modules 252 configured to communicate data via the one ormore networks 180. In some embodiments, the communication module(s) 252may include one or more transceivers (e.g., WWAN, WLAN, and/or WPANtransceivers, etc.) functioning in accordance with IEEE standards, 3GPPstandards, or other standards. Generally, the communication module(s)252 may be configured to send and/or data via one or more external ports254 to facilitate actions of the server(s) 120 described herein. In someembodiments, the functions of the communication module(s) 252 may beintegrated in the processor(s) 248.

In some embodiments, one or more processing servers 120 may be disposedat a point of retrieval of prescription products, and accordingly mayinclude some or all of the components of the point of retrieval system140. For example, one or more processing servers may include one or moreuser interfaces 146, one or more I/O units 148, one or more scanningunits 150, and/or one or more dispensing units 152 configured to performactions described herein with regard to the point of retrieval system140.

Acquiring a Prescription Pass Application

FIG. 3 depicts a signal diagram 300 associated with acquiring aprescription pass application at an electronic device, in accordancewith some embodiments. The signal diagram 300 includes an electronicdevice 305 (such as the electronic device 114 as discussed with respectto FIGS. 1 and 2) operated by a user. In some embodiments, the user maybe a patient associated with one or more medical prescriptions.Additionally or alternatively, a user of the electronic device 305 mayinclude a representative (e.g., a parent, guardian, or anothercaregiver) authorized to request and/or receive prescription productsand/or refills on behalf of a patient. It should be appreciated thatactions attributed to the electronic device 305 in FIG. 3 may includeactions performed on the electronic device 305 by a user of theelectronic device 305 (e.g., a button press, data entry, etc.).

The signal diagram 300 further includes a server 310 (such as theprocessing server 120 as discussed with respect to FIG. 1). It should beparticularly noted that, while one server 310 is described for ease ofdescription, one or more servers 310 may be possible.

Further, it should be appreciated that, while a downloadableprescription pass application is described herein, other implementationsare possible. For example, in some embodiments, a user of the electronicdevice 305 may additionally or alternatively utilize a web browser on anelectronic device to request and receive prescription products asdescribed in this detailed description. Additionally, it should beappreciated that additional, fewer, or alternative components, devices,or actions may be envisioned, in some embodiments.

The signal diagram 300 may begin when the server identifies (322) apatient who is eligible to receive prescription products via theprescription pass technology described herein. An eligible patient maybe, for example, a patient with one or more past, current, or futuremedical prescriptions associated with one or more prescription products(e.g., a mediation or medical device) eligible to be received via thetechnologies.

After identifying an eligible patient, the server 310 may transmit orotherwise cause transmission (324), to the electronic device 305, of anotification to download a prescription pass application. Theprescription pass application may be, for example, a mobile deviceapplication (e.g., smartphone application) compatible with a mobileelectronic device (e.g., a smartphone), enabling a user of theelectronic device 305 to request and receive prescription products asdescribed herein. The notification to download the application mayinclude, in some embodiments, a phone call, an SMS text message, a pushnotification, an email, and/or another suitable means. In any case,after receiving the notification, the user may prompt (326) installationof the prescription pass application on the electronic device 305. Theprompt may include, for example, a voice command, a screen touch, amouse click, and/or another suitable interaction from the user.

Once the user has download the application to the electronic device 305,the user may further configure (328) the application, for example, withcredentials pertaining to the patient and/or the representative of thepatient. In some embodiments, for example, configuring the prescriptionpass application may include providing proof of identity, agreeing to aprivacy notice, identifying a home location, and/or configuring currentmedical prescriptions in the application. In some embodiments, theelectronic device 305 may transmit the credentials (330) to the server,and the server may verify the credentials (332).

Issuing a Prescription Pass

FIG. 4 depicts a signal diagram 400 associated with generating a uniquemachine-readable code redeemable to retrieve one or more prescriptionproducts, in accordance with some embodiments. The one or moreprescription products may include products associated with a newprescription, and/or a prescription refill.

The signal diagram 400 includes an electronic device 305 (such as theelectronic device 114 as discussed with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2) thatmay be operated by a user (e.g., a patient, or a parent, guardian, orcaregiver thereof). It should be appreciated that actions attributed tothe electronic device 305 in FIG. 4 may include actions performed on theelectronic device 305 by a user of the electronic device 305 (e.g., abutton press, data entry, etc.). The signal diagram 400 also includes aserver 310 (such as the processing server 120 as discussed with respectto FIG. 1). It should be noted that, while one server is described withregard to FIG. 4, one or more servers are possible. Further, either orboth of the electronic device 305 and the server 310 may be the samecomponents as those described with regard to FIG. 3.

The signal diagram 400 additionally includes a point of retrieval system415 (such as the point of retrieval system 140 discussed with respect toFIG. 1), and a central pharmacy operations (CPO) system 420 (such as theCPO system 160 discussed with regard to FIG. 1). It should beappreciated that additional, fewer, or alternative components, devices,and actions may be envisioned, in some embodiments. Further, one or moreof the actions depicted in FIG. 4 may be omitted, in some embodiments.

The signal diagram 400 may begin when a prescription pass application isopened (432) on the electronic device 305. It should be understood that,while a prescription pass application is generally described in thesignal diagram 400, other implementations (e.g., a web browser runningon the electronic device 305) may be possible, in some embodiments.

Once the application is opened, a user of the electronic device 305 mayidentify (434) a medical prescription associated with the patient.Additionally or alternatively, the user may identify the one or moreprescription products associated with the medical prescription. The useridentification of the prescription/product(s) may include any suitableuser interaction with the electronic device 305 (e.g., a screen tap,button press, voice command, etc.) from a provided list of medicalprescriptions and/or products associated with the patient, in someembodiments. After the user identifies a medical prescription and/orproduct(s), the electronic device 305 may automatically transmit (436),to the server 310, an indication of the medical prescription/product(s).

After receiving the indication of the medical prescription/product(s)from the electronic device 305, the server 310 may verify (438) theeligibility of the prescription and/or product(s) for retrieval usingthe prescription pass technology. Verifying eligibility may include, forexample, verifying that an identified prescription product is eligibleto be issued and/or refilled using a prescription pass. If an identifiedprescription/product is not eligible, the server 310 may transmit to theelectronic device 305 a notification of the lack of eligibility and/or areason therefor. Otherwise, the server 310 may transmit (440) to theelectronic device 305 a notification of the eligibility of theidentified medical prescription and/or the associated prescriptionproduct(s).

Once eligibility of the medical prescription is confirmed, the user ofthe electronic 305 may identify (442) a location for retrieval of theone or more prescription products. Identifying a retrieval location mayinclude, for example, identifying a venue such as a hospital orpharmacy, or more specifically, identifying a particular point ofretrieval such as pharmacy counter, automated drop box, kiosk. In someembodiments, identifying a retrieval location may, even morespecifically, include identifying a particular one of multiple servicestations at a particular point of retrieval, as will be discussedfurther in this detailed description. The user of the electronic device305 may identify the retrieval location, for example, via a suitableuser interaction with the electronic device 305 (e.g., a screen tap,button press, voice command, etc.) from a provided list of nearbypotential retrieval locations, in some embodiments.

After the user identifies a retrieval location, the electronic device305 may automatically transmit (444), to the server 310, an indicationof the identified retrieval location. In response to receiving theindication, the server 310 may transmit (446) a prescriptionproduct/refill retrieval request to the point of retrieval system 415associated with the identified retrieval location (e.g., a computingdevice, such as a pharmacy counter computer or an automated prescriptionkiosk or drop box) associated with the identified point of retrieval.The request may, for example, identify the associated prescription, theassociated product(s), request may additionally identify the patient,the representative of the patient (if applicable), one or moreprerequisite tasks (e.g., product/inventory reservation, labeling, etc.)to be performed by the point of retrieval system 415, and/or moreinformation regarding the medical prescription.

It should be noted that actions of the point of retrieval system 415, asdescribed herein, may include actions performed a computing device atthe point of retrieval system associated with the identified retrievallocation, and/or actions performed by a person or persons (e.g., apharmacist) at the identified retrieval location (e.g., in abrick-and-mortar environment and/or through interaction with thecomputing device at the point of retrieval), where appropriate.

In any case, upon receiving the request, the point of retrieval system415 may process (448) the prescription product/refill retrieval request.Processing the request may, in some embodiments, include verifying thatthe requested one or more prescription products or product refills maybe issued at the particular point of retrieval. If, during theprocessing, the point of retrieval system 415 determines that therequested products or refills cannot be issued at the particular pointof retrieval for any reason (e.g., size of a product, lack of inventory,etc.), the point of retrieval system 415 may notify the server 310,which may in turn notify the user via the electronic device 305. Inresponse, the user may identify a different retrieval location in amanner similar to that described above.

In some embodiments, after processing the request, the point ofretrieval system 415 may reserve products and/or inventory (450) for theone or more prescription products to be retrieved. In someimplementations, reserving a product may include a reserving a productitem itself (e.g., a claim to a medication or medical device currentlyon or pending delivery to a pharmacy shelf). Reserving inventory may,for example, include reserving a portion of a limited physical quantityof space for a product to be retrieved (e.g., a limited storage capacityinside a prescription kiosk or drop box).

Further, in some embodiments, the point of retrieval system 415 mayautomatically generate one or more labels and/or apply the one or morelabels (452) to the one or more prescription products. The generationand/or application of the one or more labels may be caused via a requestfrom the server 310, for example. The one or more labels may include,for example, information identifying the one or more prescriptionproducts and/or the patient for whom the one or more prescriptionproducts will be issued.

Once request processing and any additional tasks are completed, thepoint of retrieval system 415 may transmit (454), to the server 310, anupdate of status of the prescription product/refill request. The statusupdate may include, for example, an indication of the preparedness ofthe one or more products for retrieval, an anticipated time ofpreparedness for retrieval, a cost of the one or more prescriptionproducts, and/or an indication of one or more additional tasks (e.g.,product/inventory reservation, labeling, etc.) performed with regard tothe request.

At any time after a cost of the one or more prescription products isdetermined (e.g., upon identification of the one or more prescriptionproducts by the user, or upon processing of the prescriptionproduct/refill request by the point of retrieval system 415), the server310 may, in some embodiments, request and/or receive payment (456) forthe one or more prescription products from the user via the electronicdevice 305. In some possible embodiments, the user may configure theelectronic device 305 (e.g., configure the application) to automaticallyand/or manually provide payment from the account of the user. In anycase, various payment methods may be enabled, including but not limitedto credit card, debit card, Apple Pay®, HSA/FSA payment, etc.

In some embodiments, the user may request (458), from the electronicdevice 305 to the server 310, a consultation with a remotely-locatedpharmacist regarding the patient's prescription and/or product(s). Inresponse to the request, a communication session may be established anda consultation (e.g., via text messaging, video messaging, voice call,etc.) provided (460) between the user the electronic device 305 and aremotely-located pharmacist at an appropriate central pharmacyoperations (CPO) system 420. While the consultation in FIG. 4 isdepicted as occurring after request processing and payment, it should beappreciated that other implementations may be possible. In someembodiments, a prescription pass application may enable the user toconnect with a pharmacist at the CPO system at any time (e.g., any pointduring flow of the signal diagram 400). Some medical prescriptionsand/or prescription products may require such a consultation at somepoint prior to issuance of a prescription pass.

Once the point of retrieval system 415 has transmitted a statusindicating preparedness or future preparedness of the one or moreprescription products for retrieval, the server 310 may issue (462) aprescription pass to the user at the electronic device 305. Theprescription pass may include a unique machine-readable code, such as abarcode, two-dimensional matrix barcode (e.g., QR code), alphanumericcode, sound file, or some other unique machine-readable code that a userof the electronic device 305 may scan at a point of retrieval toidentify the medical prescription and/or the product(s) to retrieve. Theserver 310 may issue the prescription pass, for example, to theelectronic device 305 for the user to view via the prescription passapplication, and/or otherwise through SMS text, MMS text, email, and/oranother suitable form of file transfer. Additionally or alternatively,the electronic device 305 may access the prescription pass (at the timeof scanning, for example) from the server 310 via a network connection(e.g., through the prescription pass application or a website). In anycase, the prescription pass may be printable, in some embodiments,allowing the user to redeem the prescription pass at a retrievallocation via a printed document.

In some embodiments, the prescription pass may be transferable, allowingthe user to transfer the prescription pass to another person, such asfrom a patient to a representative thereof (e.g., via a user interactionat the prescription pass application). In some embodiments, transferalof a prescription pass may include reissuance of the prescription passto the other person. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments,a user may cancel an issued or otherwise in-progress prescription pass.Prescription pass cancellation (“reversal”) and/or transferal may beenabled, for example, via communication between the electronic device305 and the server 310 via the prescription pass application describedherein, via a web browser, via an email or SMS client, and/or via othertechniques.

In some embodiments, the user may, while requesting a prescription pass,configure one or more notifications associated with the prescriptionpass. For example, the user may configure a notification to betransmitted to the user at a time at which the one or more prescriptionproducts are prepared for retrieval by the user. User configuration of anotification may include configuration of one or more messages (e.g., amessage within the prescription pass application, a push notification,an SMS message, an email, a voice call, etc.) to be transmitted form theserver 310 to the electronic device 305 and/or to another deviceassociated with the user. In some embodiments, a configured notificationmay include location-based notification. For example, a user mayconfigure a notification to be transmitted to the user at a time whenthe user is within a specified geographic proximity to the point ofretrieval system 415 while the one or more prescription products areprepared for retrieval. Location-based notifications may be enabled, forexample, via opt-in location sharing between the electronic device 305and the server 310. In some embodiments, the server 310 mayautomatically configure one or more notifications during issuance of theprescription pass.

Redeeming a Prescription Pass and Issuing Prescription Product(s)

FIG. 5 depicts a signal diagram 500 associated with issuing one or moreprescription products, in accordance with some embodiments. The one ormore prescription products may include products associated with a newprescription, and/or a prescription refill.

The signal diagram 500 includes an electronic device 305 (such as theelectronic device 114 as discussed with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2) thatmay be operated by a user (e.g., a patient, or a parent, guardian, orcaregiver thereof). It should be appreciated that actions attributed tothe electronic device 305 in FIG. 5 may include actions performed on theelectronic device 305 by a user of the electronic device 305 (e.g., abutton press, data entry, etc.). The signal diagram 500 also includes aserver 310 (such as the processing server 120 as discussed with respectto FIG. 1). While one server 310 is described herein for ease ofdescription, it should be appreciated that one or more servers 310 maybe possible.

The signal diagram 500 additionally includes a point of retrieval system415 (such as the point of retrieval system 140 discussed with respect toFIG. 1), and a central pharmacy operations (CPO) system 420 (such as theCPO system 160 discussed with regard to FIG. 1). It should beappreciated that additional, fewer, or alternative components, devices,and actions may be envisioned, in some embodiments. Further, one or moreof the actions depicted in FIG. 5 may be omitted, in some embodiments.One or more of the electronic device 305, the server 310, the point ofretrieval system 415, and the CPO system 520 may be the same componentsas those described with regard to FIG. 3 and/or FIG. 4.

While in vicinity of the point of retrieval system 415, the user of theelectronic device 305 may scan or visually present (532) the uniqueprescription pass previously provided to or accessed by the electronicdevice 305 via the server 310. Scanning or visually presenting theprescription pass at the point of retrieval system 415 may include, forexample, the user of the electronic device 305 causing an interaction(e.g., a display via a user interface, a swipe, sound play, etc.)between the electronic device 305 and a scanning unit at the point ofretrieval system 415. Additionally or alternatively, the user may scan aprinted code, without use of the electronic device 305. In any case, thepoint of retrieval system 415 may detect (534) the scan (e.g., bydetecting the prescription pass' unique machine-readable code via ascanning unit of a computing device at the point of retrieval).

In some embodiments, the point of retrieval system 415 may request andreceive (536), from the server 310, an identification of the patient,prescription, and/or product(s) associated with the prescription basedon the detected prescription pass scan. The identification may beprovided based on a stored record at the server 310, associating theprescription pass' unique machine-readable code with the patient,medical prescription, and/or prescription product(s). In anotherpossible embodiment, the point of retrieval system 415 may store theabove described information at an internal memory, and retrieve, fromthe internal memory, the patient, prescription, and/or product(s)associated with the scanned prescription pass.

In some embodiments, additional security measures may be required at thepoint of retrieval system 415 before one or more prescription productscan be dispensed. For example, the point of retrieval system 415 mayrequest and receive (538) additional identification (e.g., a phonenumber, PIN, birthdate, etc.) from the user. The request of theinformation may be displayed, for example, via a point of retrievalsystem 415 display screen, and the information received via aninteraction by the user at a point of retrieval system 415 I/O unit(e.g., a button press, touch screen interaction, audio prompt, etc.).The point of retrieval system 415 may verify (540) the additionalidentification via another interaction with the server 310, and/or viastored user, patient, prescription, or product data at the point ofretrieval system 415.

In some embodiments (e.g., if the user has not already provided paymentfor the one or more prescription products to be retrieved), the point ofretrieval system may request and receive (542) payment for the one ormore prescription products. The point of retrieval system 415 mayrequest and/or receive payment via one or more user interfaces (e.g.,display screens), and/or one or more I/O units (e.g., a card scanner,touch screen, keypad, etc.) at the point of retrieval system 415.Additionally or alternatively, the user may provide payment via theelectronic device 305 in a manner similar to that described regardingthe payment action 456 in FIG. 4. In any case, various payment methodsmay be enabled, including but not limited to credit card, debit card,Apple Pay®, HSA/FSA payment, etc.

In some embodiments, the user may request (544), from the electronicdevice 305 to the server 310, a consultation with a remotely-locatedpharmacist regarding the patient's prescription and/or product(s). Inresponse to the request, a communication session may be established anda consultation provided (546) between the user the electronic device 305and a remotely-located pharmacist at an appropriate central pharmacyoperations (CPO) system 420. While the consultation in FIG. 5 isdepicted as occurring after prescription pass scanning and payment, itshould be appreciated that other implementations may be possible. Insome embodiments, a prescription pass application may enable the user toconnect with a pharmacist at the CPO system at any time (e.g., any pointduring flow of the signal diagram 500). Some medical prescriptionsand/or prescription products may require such a consultation a productmay be dispensed at the point of retrieval system 415.

In some embodiments, the point of retrieval system 415 may automaticallygenerate one or more labels and/or apply the one or more labels (458) tothe one or more prescription products. The generation and/or applicationof the one or more labels may be caused via a request from the server310, for example. The one or more labels may include, for example,information identifying the one or more prescription products and/or thepatient for whom the one or more prescription products will be issued.

Once the prescription pass has been identified and any additionalnecessary actions are completed, the point of retrieval system 415 maydispense (550) the one or more prescription products. The point ofretrieval system 415 may dispense the product(s), for example,automatically via one or more dispensing units (e.g., within aprescription kiosk or drop box).

Once the point of retrieval system 415 has dispensed the one or moreprescription products to the user, the point of retrieval system 415 maytransmit (552), to the server 310, an indication of the status of theprescription processing. The transmitted status may include, forexample, an indication that the one or more prescription products havebeen dispensed, and/or an indication of one or more additional actions(e.g., payment) completed at the point of retrieval system 415.Meanwhile, the user, via the electronic device 315, may acknowledgereceipt (354) of the one or more prescription products, in someembodiments.

“Drive-Thru” Prescription Product Retrieval

In some instances, a point of retrieval for prescription products withina venue may comprise multiple service stations. For example, a pharmacymay achieve a point of retrieval in the form of a “drive-thru” wherebypassengers within vehicles may retrieve prescription products at theexterior of the venue. In some implementations, an autonomous vehiclewithout a passenger(s) may access a point(s) of retrieval. Thedrive-thru point of retrieval may comprise multiple service stations (or“lanes”) whereby multiple persons may concurrently retrieve prescriptionproducts. As another example, a pharmacy counter within a hospital maycomprise a plurality of stations concurrently serving individualsretrieving prescription products. Even in such configurations, however,individuals retrieving prescriptions may conventionally encountersignificant wait time before a station becomes available.

While the prescription pass technology described herein offers benefitsto individuals retrieving prescription products from points of retrievalcomprising any number of service stations, specific implementations ofthe prescription pass technology may offer particular benefits to theproduct retrieval experience at points of retrieval comprising multiplestations, as will be described in this section. While a “drive-thru”example may generally be referred to in this section, it should beunderstood that the described concepts may be applied to other points ofretrieval comprising two or more stations for retrieving prescriptionproducts.

FIG. 6 depicts an example signal diagram 600 associated with drive-thruretrieval of one or more prescription products, in accordance with someembodiments. Generally, a drive-thru point of retrieval within a venue(e.g., exterior of a pharmacy), may comprise multiple stations or“lanes,” including one or more “express stations” configuredspecifically to serve individuals retrieving prescription products usingthe prescription pass technology. Use of an express station maysignificantly quicken prescription product retrieval for prescriptionpass users, and further may incentivize additional users to utilize theprescription pass technology discussed throughout this detaileddescription. The express station may thus result in reduced servicetimes and wait times for individuals retrieving prescription products.

The signal diagram 600 includes an electronic device 305 (such as theelectronic device 114 as discussed with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2) thatmay be operated by a user (e.g., a patient, or a parent, guardian, orcaregiver thereof). It should be appreciated that actions attributed tothe electronic device 305 in FIG. 6 may include actions performed on theelectronic device 305 by a user of the electronic device 305 (e.g., abutton press, data entry, etc.). The signal diagram 600 also includes aserver 310 (such as the processing server 120 as discussed with respectto FIG. 1). It should be noted that, while one server is described withregard to FIG. 6, one or more servers are possible. Further, either orboth of the electronic device 305 and the server 310 may be the samecomponents as those described with regard to FIG. 3.

The signal diagram 600 additionally includes a point of retrieval system415 (which may be the point of retrieval system 140 discussed withrespect to FIG. 1, for example) disposed within a venue, such as apharmacy. The point of retrieval system 415 may be distributed among a“standard” point of retrieval station 615 a and an “express” point ofretrieval station 615 b. While one standard station 615 a and oneexpress station 615 b are described herein, it should be understood thatone or more of each are possible. The stations may generally becollocated within (i.e., inside or generally around) the venue. Eachstation 615 a-615 b may comprise one or more computing devices, dropboxes, kiosks, dispensing units, etc.

It should be appreciated that additional, fewer, or alternativecomponents, devices, and actions may be envisioned, in some embodiments.In particular, it is noted that the signal diagram 600 is generallypresented to describe concepts particular to venues with multiple pointsof retrieval. Other elements discussed in this detailed description,even if not present in the signal diagram 600, may be included (e.g., aspart of the actions depicted in FIG. 6), unless specifically indicatedotherwise. Further, one or more of the actions depicted in FIG. 6 may beomitted, in some embodiments. One or more of the electronic device 305,the server 310, and the point of retrieval system 415, may be the samecomponents as those described with regard to FIGS. 3, 4, and/or 5.

The signal diagram 600 may begin with a request (632) for retrieval ofone or more prescription products (e.g., a new product or a productrefill), the request initiated by the electronic device 305 (e.g., bythe user of the electronic device 305). The prescription product/refillrequest may include one or more device and/or server actions describedwith regard to prescription product requests in FIGS. 4 and/or 5 (e.g.,identifying a medical prescription, identifying products, verifyingeligibility, etc.). In particular, the request may includeidentification of a desired retrieval location, such as a point ofretrieval comprising multiple service stations.

Once the prescription product(s) have been requested, the server 310 mayprocess (634) the prescription product/refill request. Processing therequest may include, for example, receiving indication of one or moretasks performed by the individual associated with retrieval of theprescription (e.g., patient, caregiver, etc.), wherein the tasks may beprerequisite to retrieving the one or more prescription products. Suchtasks may include, for example, payment for the one or more prescriptionproducts, acceptance of a privacy notice, completion of a consultationwith a remotely-located pharmacist, processing of an insurance claim,etc. One or more of the tasks may be completed, for example, by theindividual associated with retrieval of the prescription product(s) viaa prescription pass application on the electronic device 305, which maybe in communication with the server 310.

Completion of one or more of the above-described tasks prior toretrieval of the one or more prescription product (or, prior to issuanceof a prescription pass) may determine a “completion status” of theprescription. The server 310 and/or the point of retrieval system 415,for example, may determine a completion status based upon a particulartask completed, a particular task not completed, a total number orweight of tasks completed, etc. Generally, prescriptions having acompletion status indicating more prerequisite tasks completed (i.e.,fewer outstanding tasks) may be more likely to be enabled to use anexpress station at the point of retrieval, as such tasks will not needto be performed at the point of retrieval itself (which wouldpotentially induce wait times at the point of retrieval). In someembodiments, the use of the prescription pass technology may alone besufficient for eligibility or to utilize an express station, regardlessof additional tasks that may be necessary at the point of retrieval.

After processing the prescription product/refill request, the server 310may transmit a prescription product/refill request the point ofretrieval system 415. In some embodiments, the request transmitted bythe server 310 may include an indication of whether the prescriptionproduct/refill request is eligible to be fulfilled an express station615 b, based upon the completion status. Alternatively, the request mayinclude an indication of one or more prerequisite tasks completed, fromwhich the point of retrieval system 415 may determine whether therequest is eligible to be completed via the express station 615 b.

The request may, for example, identify the associated prescription, theassociated product(s), the patient, the representative of the patient(if applicable), one or more prerequisite tasks (e.g., product/inventoryreservation, labeling, etc.) to be performed by the point of retrievalsystem 415, and/or more information regarding the medical prescription.

In response to a received request from the server 310, the point ofretrieval system 415 may process the request for fulfillment at thestandard station 615 a or the express station 615 b (638 a and 638 b,respectively). Processing the request may, in some embodiments, includeverifying that the requested one or more prescription products orproduct refills may be issued at the particular station. If, during theprocessing, the point of retrieval system 415 determines that therequested products or refills cannot be issued at the particular pointof retrieval for any reason (e.g., size of a product, lack of inventory,etc.), the point of retrieval system 415 may notify the server 310,which may in turn notify the user via the electronic device 305. Inresponse, the user may identify a different retrieval location.Additionally or alternatively, processing the request may include otheractions of a point of retrieval system 415 described in this detaileddescription, including a product and/or inventory reservation,generation and/or application of a label, etc. In some embodiments, theabove actions of the point of retrieval system 415 may be specificallyperformed via one or more computing devices at stations 615 a and/or 615b.

Once a point of retrieval system 415 processes the request, the point ofretrieval system 415 may transmit (640 a-640 b), to the server 310, anupdate of status of the prescription product/refill request. The statusupdate may include, for example, an indication of the preparedness ofthe one or more products for retrieval, an anticipated time ofpreparedness for retrieval, a cost of the one or more prescriptionproducts, and/or an indication of one or more prerequisite tasks (e.g.,product/inventory reservation, labeling, etc.) performed or yet to beperformed with regard to the request.

Once the server 310 has received indication of processing of theprescription product/refill request at a point of retrieval 415, theserver 310 may issue (642) a prescription pass to the individualassociated with the retrieval, via the electronic device 305. Theprescription pass may include a unique machine-readable code, such as abarcode, two-dimensional matrix barcode (e.g., QR code), alphanumericcode, sound file, or some other unique machine-readable code that a userof the electronic device 305 may scan at a point of retrieval toidentify the medical prescription and/or the product(s) to retrieve. Theserver 310 may issue the prescription pass, for example, to theelectronic device 305 for the user to view via the prescription passapplication, and/or otherwise through SMS text, MMS text, email, and/oranother suitable form of file transfer. Additionally or alternatively,the electronic device 305 may access the prescription pass (at the timeof scanning, for example) from the server 310 via a network connection(e.g., through the prescription pass application or a website).

In some embodiments, the prescription pass may specifically indicatewhether or not the prescription product/refill request is presentlyeligible for retrieval at an express station 615 b, or whether retrievalmust occur at the standard station 615 a. In some embodiments, even ifthe request is not eligible for express eligible at the time of issuanceof the prescription pass, the individual may, in some embodiments, causethe request to become eligible by performing one or more prerequisitetasks in advance of the retrieval. Completion of such tasks may resultin issuance of an updated prescription pass. Alternatively, in otherembodiments, the prescription pass may not make any particularindication of express station eligibility or lack thereof, and suchindication may be provided at the point of retrieval itself (e.g., at acheck-in station at the point of retrieval but prior to the standard orexpress station).

At the time of retrieval, the individual associated with the retrievalmay scan or otherwise present (644) the unique machine-readable code viathe electronic device 305. Scanning or visually presenting theprescription pass at a point of retrieval system may include, forexample, the user of the electronic device 305 causing an interaction(e.g., a display via a user interface, a swipe, sound play, etc.)between the electronic device 305 and a scanning unit at the point ofretrieval system 415 (e.g., more specifically, the standard point ofretrieval station 615 a or the express point of retrieval station 615b). Additionally or alternatively, scanning the electronic device mayinclude scanning a printed document, without use of the electronicdevice 305. In some embodiments, presenting the code may include firstpresenting the code at a check-in station prior to the standard/expressstations 615 a-615 b, to identify from which station the retrieval is tobe achieved.

The standard station 615 a or the express station 615 b may detect (646a and 646 b, respectively) the scan (e.g., by detecting the prescriptionpass' unique machine-readable code via a scanning unit of a computingdevice at the station, or alternatively, by receiving an indication fromanother part of the point of retrieval system 415). Detecting the scanmay include identifying the patient, the individual associated with theretrieval, the medical prescription, and/or the one or more prescriptionproducts, based upon the unique machine-readable code. Once theprescription pass has been identified, the station 615 a or 615 b maydispense (648 a and 648 b, respectively) the one or more prescriptionproducts. The point of retrieval station 615 a or 615 b may dispense theproduct(s), for example, automatically via one or more dispensing units(e.g., within a prescription kiosk or drop box). Dispensing the one ormore prescription products may first include facilitation of one or moreoutstanding tasks (consultation, payment, identification, etc.) that maybe prerequisite to retrieving the one or more prescription products.

EXAMPLE METHODS

FIG. 7 depicts an example computer-implemented method 700 for generatinga unique machine-readable code redeemable to retrieve one or moreprescription products. Generally, the unique machine-readable code maybe generated and/or issued to an electronic computing device of anindividual as a “prescription pass.” The method 700 may be performed,for example, via the system 100 described with regard to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The method 700 may include receiving, via one or more processors, afirst indication of identification of a medical prescription for one ormore prescription products (e.g., a medication or medical device), thefirst indication originating from a computing device (e.g., asmartphone, laptop computer, desktop computer, tablet, etc.) of anindividual associated with a retrieval of the one or more prescriptionproducts (702).

The individual associated with the retrieval may be, for example, anindividual associated with the medical prescription itself (e.g., apatient to whom the prescription is prescribed). Alternatively, theindividual may be another individual who is a representative of thepatient (e.g., a parent, guardian, caregiver, etc.). The firstindication may be received, for example, via one or more processors ofone or more backend servers, and from an electronic device of a user(e.g., a patient, parent, guardian, or caregiver) seeking retrieval ofone or more prescription products (i.e., products or product refills)associated with the identified medical prescription. The firstindication may include, for example, an interaction by the user from alist of available or eligible prescriptions listed in a prescriptionpass mobile or web application.

The method 700 may also include receiving, via one or more processors, asecond indication of identification of a point of retrieval of the oneor more prescription products, the second indication originating fromthe computing device of the individual associated with the retrieval ofthe one or more prescription products (704). The identified point ofretrieval may include, for example, a particular pharmacy counter, aprescription kiosk or drop box, and/or another appropriate point ofretrieval. In any case, the point of retrieval may be identified, forexample, from a list of available and/or nearby retrieval locationspresented in the prescription pass application.

The method 700 may also include verifying, via the one or moreprocessors, an authorization of the individual associated with theretrieval of the one or more prescription products to retrieve the oneor more prescription products at the point of retrieval (706). Theverification may include, for instance, verifying that the medicalprescription and/or product(s) are eligible to be retrieved using theprescription pass technology. Additionally or alternatively, theverification may include verifying that a representative of the patient(e.g., a parent, guardian, or caregiver) is authorized to retrieve theparticular one or more prescription products on behalf of the patient.

The method 700 may further include generating, via the one or moreprocessors, a unique machine-readable code associated with retrieval ofthe one or more prescription products, wherein the uniquemachine-readable code is associated with the medical prescription (708).The unique machine-readable code may include, for example, a barcode,two-dimensional matrix barcode (e.g., QR code), audio file, alphanumericcode, and/or another code. In any case, in some embodiments, thegenerated machine-readable code may be associated specifically with theidentified point of retrieval. In other words, the machine-readable codemay, in some embodiments, be redeemable only at the identified point ofretrieval, whereas, in other embodiments, other points of retrieval maybe possible. The method 600 may further include transmitting the uniquemachine-readable code to the computing device associated with theretrieval of the one or more prescription products.

In some embodiments, the method 700 may further include causing, via theone or more processors, one or more product reservations and/or spatialreservations at the point of retrieval. A spatial reservation mayinclude, for example, a reservation of a portion of a limited physicalquantity of space for a product to be retrieved (e.g., a limited storagecapacity inside a prescription kiosk or drop box). A product reservationmay include, for example, reservation of a product item itself (e.g., aclaim to a medication or medical device currently on or pending deliveryto a pharmacy shelf, such that the product will not be out of stock atthe time of retrieval). In any case, a reservation may be caused, forexample, via communication from a backend server to a computer systemand/or individual at the identified point of retrieval.

In some embodiments, the method 700 may further include causing, via theone or more processors, one or more labels to be applied to one or morecontainers associated with the one or more prescription products,wherein the one or more labels identify the one or more prescriptionproducts and a patient associated with the medical prescription.

In some embodiments, the method 700 may further include processing apayment for the one or more prescription products. Processing a paymentmay, for example, include receiving, via the one or more processors, anindication of payment for the one or more prescription products by theindividual. An indication of payment may be received, for example, at abackend server after payment from the computing device of theindividual. In some embodiments, payment may be required prior toissuance of a unique machine-readable code.

In some embodiments, the method 700 may further include (i) receiving,via the one or more processors, a request to communicate with a remotepharmacist, the request initiated by the individual, and/or (ii)causing, via the one or more processors, a communication session to beinitiated between the computing device of the individual and a computingdevice of the remote pharmacist. The communication session may, forexample, enable the individual to communicate information to and/orreceive instruction from the remotely-located pharmacist. In someembodiments, a particular prescription and/or product may require such acommunication session to occur prior to issuance of a uniquemachine-readable code. In these embodiments, the unique machine-readablecode may be generated in response to an authorization granted by theremote pharmacist after the communication session.

In some embodiments, the method 700 may further include configuration ofone or more notifications associated with the prescription pass.Notification configuration may include, for example, configuration of anotification (e.g., push notification, voice call, SMS message, email,or another message within a prescription pass application) to betransmitted to one or more electronic devices at a time at which the oneor more prescription products are prepared for retrieval by theindividual. A notification may be configured manually by the individualand/or automatically via the one or more processors, in someembodiments.

The method 700 may include additional, fewer, or alternate actions,including those described in this detailed description.

FIG. 8 depicts an example computer-implemented method 800 for issuingone or more prescription products. Generally, one or more prescriptionproducts may be issued in response to a scan of a uniquemachine-readable code included in a “prescription pass” provided to anindividual. The method 800 may be performed, for example, via the system100 described with regard to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The method 800 may include generating, via one or more processors, aunique machine-readable code associated with a medical prescription forone or more prescription products (802). The unique machine-readablecode may include, for example, a barcode, two-dimensional matrix barcode(e.g., QR code), audio file, alphanumeric code, and/or another code. Inany case, in some embodiments, the generated machine-readable code maybe associated specifically with the identified point of retrieval. Inother words, the machine-readable code may, in some embodiments, beredeemable only at the identified point of retrieval, whereas, in otherembodiments, other points of retrieval may be possible.

The method 800 may also include transmitting (e.g., via text message,email, delivery to a prescription pass application, etc.) the uniquemachine-readable code to a computing device of an individual associatedwith a retrieval of the one or more prescription products (804). Theindividual associated with the retrieval may be, for example, anindividual associated with the medical prescription itself (e.g., apatient to whom the prescription is prescribed). Alternatively, theindividual may be another individual who is a representative of thepatient (e.g., a parent, guardian, caregiver, etc.). The computingdevice of the individual may include, for example, a smartphone, desktopcomputer, laptop computer, tablet, etc.

The method 800 may also include detecting, via a scanning device at apoint of retrieval of the one or more prescription products, a scan ofthe unique machine-readable code, the scan initiated by the individualat the point of retrieval (806). The scanning device may be, or beincluded within, a computing system at the point of retrieval.“Scanning” the unique machine-readable code may include, for example,swiping the computing device of the individual associated with theretrieval, presenting the code via a user interface, and/or some othervisual presentation of the unique machine-readable code.

The method 800 may also include identifying, via the one or moreprocessors, the one or more prescription products associated with themedical prescription, based upon the detected scan of the uniquemachine-readable code (808). Identifying the one or more prescriptionproducts may include associating the scanned code with the medicalprescription based on data stored at a backend server and/or at acomputing system at the point of retrieval.

The method 800 may also include causing, via the one or more processors,a dispensing of the one or more prescription products at the point ofretrieval (810). Causing the dispensing may include transmission, from abackend server to a computing system and/or individual at the point ofretrieval, of an indication to dispense the one or more products.Dispensing may be executed, for example, via an automatic dispensingunit of a point of retrieval system.

In some embodiments, the method 800 may further include (i) receiving,via the scanning device or via the one or more processors, at least oneadditional identifier (e.g., identity verification in the form of aphone number, PIN, etc.) associated with the individual, and/or (ii)verifying, via the one or more processors, based on the at least oneadditional identifier, an identity of the individual. In someembodiments, such an additional layer of identification may be requiredprior to dispensing of one or more prescription products, effectivelyverifying that the person at the point of retrieval is in fact theindividual to whom the prescription pass was issued.

In some embodiments, the method 800 may further include causing, via theone or more processors, one or more labels to be applied to one or morecontainers associated with the one or more prescription products,wherein the one or more labels identify the one or more prescriptionproducts and a patient associated with the medical prescription. In someembodiments, the method 800 may further include (i) causing, via the oneor more processors, a transmission one or more images of the one or morelabels to a remote pharmacist, and/or (ii) receiving, via the one ormore processors, an indication of verified accuracy of the one or morelabels (e.g., accuracy of the information included therein), theindication granted by the remote pharmacist. In some aspects, averification of accuracy by a pharmacist may be required beforedispensing of the one or more prescription products.

In some embodiments, the method 800 may further include receiving, viathe one or more processors, an acknowledgement of receipt of the one ormore prescription products by the individual. The acknowledgement ofreceipt may be received, for example, at a backend server, andtransmitted from a computing device of the individual.

In some embodiments, the method 800 may further include processing, viathe one or more processors, a payment for the one or more prescriptionproducts. Processing a payment may, for example, include receiving, viathe one or more processors, an indication of payment for the one or moreprescription products by the individual. An indication of payment may bereceived, for example, at a backend server after payment from thecomputing device of the individual. In some embodiments, payment may berequired prior to dispensing of the one or more prescription products.

In some embodiments, the method 800 may further include receiving, viathe one or more processors, an indication of an acceptance of a privacynotice (e.g., HIPAA) by the individual. In some aspects, an indicationof acceptance of a privacy notice may be required prior to issuance ofthe one or more prescription products.

The method 800 may include additional, fewer, or alternate actions,including those described in this detailed description.

FIG. 9 depicts another example computer-implemented method 900 forgenerating a unique machine readable code redeemable to retrieve one ormore prescription products. Generally, one or more prescription productsmay be issued at a particular one or multiple stations at a retrievallocation (e.g., a particular point of retrieval), based upon usage ofthe prescription pass technology described herein and/or completion ofadditional prerequisite tasks prior to arriving at the retrievallocation. The method 900 may be performed, for example, via the system100 described with regard to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The method 900 may include receiving, via one or more processors, anindication of a medical prescription for one or more prescriptionproducts, wherein the indication originates from a computing device ofan individual intending to retrieve the one or more prescriptionproducts, and wherein the indication identifies a retrieval location(e.g., a venue, or more specifically, a point of retrieval) for the oneor more prescription products (902).

The individual intending to retrieve the one or more prescriptionproducts may be, for example, an individual associated with the medicalprescription itself (e.g., a patient to whom the prescription isprescribed). Alternatively, the individual may be another individual whois a representative of the patient (e.g., a parent, guardian, caregiver,etc.). The indication may be received, for example, via one or moreprocessors of one or more backend servers, and from an electronic deviceof a user (e.g., a patient, parent, guardian, or caregiver) seekingretrieval of one or more prescription products (i.e., products orproduct refills) associated with the medical prescription. Theindication may include, for example, an interaction by the user from alist of available or eligible prescriptions listed in a prescriptionpass mobile or web application.

The retrieval location may include, for example, a particular pharmacycounter, a prescription kiosk or drop box, and/or another appropriateretrieval location. In any case, the retrieval location may beidentified, for example, from a list of available and/or nearbyretrieval locations presented in the prescription pass application. Insome embodiments, the identified retrieval location may include anidentification of a desired station at the retrieval location (e.g.,desire to use an express station).

The method 900 may also include identifying, via the one or moreprocessors and based upon a completion status associated with themedical prescription, a particular retrieval station of a plurality ofretrieval stations associated with the retrieval location (904). Acompletion status may be determined, for example, based upon utilizationof the prescription pass technology described herein (e.g., specificallya prescription pass mobile application), and/or based upon completion orlack of completion of one or more tasks (e.g., payment, acceptance ofprivacy notice, remote pharmacist consultation, etc.) prerequisite toretrieving the one or more prescription products. Prescriptionsassociated with a greater completion status (e.g., use of a prescriptionpass application, completion of more tasks, etc.) may be enabled toutilize an express station at the retrieval location instead of astandard station, thereby potentially reducing wait times for theindividual at the retrieval location. In some embodiments, thecompletion status and/or the particular station may be determined inresponse to receiving the indication of the medical prescription. In atleast some embodiments, however, the completion status and/or retrievalstation may be determined or re-determined in response to the individualarriving at the retrieval location (e.g., at a check-in station at apoint of retrieval but prior to the standard and express retrievalstations).

The method 900 may also include generating, via the one or moreprocessors, a notification associated with retrieval of the one or moreprescription products, the notification (i) comprising a uniquemachine-readable code, and (ii) identifying the particular retrievalstation (906). The unique machine-readable code may include, forexample, a barcode, two-dimensional matrix barcode (e.g., QR code),audio file, alphanumeric code, and/or another code.

The method 900 may also include transmitting (e.g., via text message,email, delivery to a prescription pass application, etc.), to thecomputing device via the one or more processors, the notification (908).

In some embodiments, the method 900 may further include (i) detecting,via a scanning device located at the particular retrieval station, ascan of the unique machine-readable code; (ii) identifying, via the oneor more processors, the one or more prescription products associatedwith the medical prescription, based upon the detected scan of theunique machine-readable code; and/or (iii) causing, via the one or moreprocessors, the one or more prescription products to be dispensed at theparticular retrieval station.

In some embodiments, the method 900 may further include causing, via theone or more processors, one or more product reservations and/or spatialreservations at the retrieval location. Causing a spatial reservationmay include, for example, causing a physical quantity of space to bereserved in an inventory associated with the retrieval location (e.g., alimited storage capacity inside a prescription kiosk or drop box).Causing a product reservation may include, for example, causing the oneor more prescription products themselves to be reserved in an inventoryassociated with the retrieval location. In any case, a reservation maybe caused, for example, via communication from a backend server to acomputer system and/or individual at the retrieval location.

In some embodiments, the method 900 may further include causing, via theone or more processors, one or more labels to be applied to one or morecontainers associated with the one or more prescription products,wherein the one or more labels identify the one or more prescriptionproducts and a patient associated with the medical prescription.

In some embodiments, the method 900 may further include processing apayment for the one or more prescription products. Processing a paymentmay, for example, include receiving, via the one or more processors, anindication of payment for the one or more prescription products by theindividual. An indication of payment may be received, for example, at abackend server after payment from the computing device of theindividual. In some embodiments, payment may be required prior toissuance of a unique machine-readable code.

In some embodiments, the method 700 may further include (i) receiving,via the one or more processors, a request to communicate with a remotepharmacist, the request initiated by the individual, and/or (ii)causing, via the one or more processors, a communication session to beinitiated between the computing device of the individual and a computingdevice of the remote pharmacist. The communication session may, forexample, enable the individual to communicate information to and/orreceive instruction from the remotely-located pharmacist. In someembodiments, a particular prescription and/or product may require such acommunication session to occur prior to issuance of a uniquemachine-readable code. In these embodiments, the unique machine-readablecode may be generated in response to an authorization granted by theremote pharmacist after the communication session.

In some embodiments, the method 900 may further include detecting, viathe one or more processors, execution of one or more of the prerequisitetasks (e.g., payment, acceptance of privacy notice, additionalidentification, etc.) at the retrieval location (e.g., at the particularstation), as described further in this detailed description.

The method 900 may include additional, fewer, or alternate actions,including those described in this detailed description.

Additional Considerations

Although the following text sets forth a detailed description ofnumerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the legalscope of the invention may be defined by the words of the claims setforth at the end of this patent. The detailed description is to beconstrued as exemplary only and does not describe every possibleembodiment, as describing every possible embodiment would beimpractical, if not impossible. One could implement numerous alternateembodiments, using either current technology or technology developedafter the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within thescope of the claims.

Throughout this specification, plural instances may implementcomponents, operations, or structures described as a single instance.Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustratedand described as separate operations, one or more of the individualoperations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that theoperations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures andfunctionality presented as separate components in example configurationsmay be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly,structures and functionality presented as a single component may beimplemented as separate components. These and other variations,modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of thesubject matter herein.

Additionally, certain embodiments are described herein as includinglogic or a number of routines, subroutines, applications, orinstructions. These may constitute either software (e.g., code embodiedon a non-transitory, machine-readable medium) or hardware. In hardware,the routines, etc., are tangible units capable of performing certainoperations and may be configured or arranged in a certain manner. Inexample embodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone,client or server computer system) or one or more hardware modules of acomputer system (e.g., a processor or a group of processors) may beconfigured by software (e.g., an application or application portion) asa hardware module that operates to perform certain operations asdescribed herein.

In various embodiments, a hardware module may be implementedmechanically or electronically. For example, a hardware module maycomprise dedicated circuitry or logic that may be permanently configured(e.g., as a special-purpose processor, such as a field programmable gatearray (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) toperform certain operations. A hardware module may also compriseprogrammable logic or circuitry (e.g., as encompassed within ageneral-purpose processor or other programmable processor) that may betemporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. Itwill be appreciated that the decision to implement a hardware modulemechanically, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or intemporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may bedriven by cost and time considerations.

Accordingly, the term “hardware module” should be understood toencompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physicallyconstructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarilyconfigured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or toperform certain operations described herein. Considering embodiments inwhich hardware modules are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed),each of the hardware modules need not be configured or instantiated atany one instance in time. For example, where the hardware modulescomprise a general-purpose processor configured using software, thegeneral-purpose processor may be configured as respective differenthardware modules at different times. Software may accordingly configurea processor, for example, to constitute a particular hardware module atone instance of time and to constitute a different hardware module at adifferent instance of time.

Hardware modules may provide information to, and receive informationfrom, other hardware modules. Accordingly, the described hardwaremodules may be regarded as being communicatively coupled. Where multipleof such hardware modules exist contemporaneously, communications may beachieved through signal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuitsand buses) that connect the hardware modules. In embodiments in whichmultiple hardware modules are configured or instantiated at differenttimes, communications between such hardware modules may be achieved, forexample, through the storage and retrieval of information in memorystructures to which the multiple hardware modules have access. Forexample, one hardware module may perform an operation and store theoutput of that operation in a memory device to which it may becommunicatively coupled. A further hardware module may then, at a latertime, access the memory device to retrieve and process the storedoutput. Hardware modules may also initiate communications with input oroutput devices, and may operate on a resource (e.g., a collection ofinformation).

The various operations of example methods described herein may beperformed, at least partially, by one or more processors that aretemporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured toperform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanentlyconfigured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented modulesthat operate to perform one or more operations or functions. The modulesreferred to herein may, in some example embodiments, compriseprocessor-implemented modules.

Similarly, the methods or routines described herein may be at leastpartially processor-implemented. For example, at least some of theoperations of a method may be performed by one or more processors orprocessor-implemented hardware modules. The performance of certain ofthe operations may be distributed among the one or more processors, notonly residing within a single machine, but deployed across a number ofmachines. In some example embodiments, the processor or processors maybe located in a single location (e.g., within a home environment, anoffice environment, or as a server farm), while in other embodiments theprocessors may be distributed across a number of locations.

The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed amongthe one or more processors, not only residing within a single machine,but deployed across a number of machines. In some example embodiments,the one or more processors or processor-implemented modules may belocated in a single geographic location (e.g., within a homeenvironment, an office environment, or a server farm). In other exampleembodiments, the one or more processors or processor-implemented modulesmay be distributed across a number of geographic locations.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, discussions herein using wordssuch as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,”“presenting,” “displaying,” or the like may refer to actions orprocesses of a machine (e.g., a computer) that manipulates or transformsdata represented as physical (e.g., electronic, magnetic, or optical)quantities within one or more memories (e.g., volatile memory,non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof), registers, or othermachine components that receive, store, transmit, or displayinformation.

As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment may be included in at leastone embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” invarious places in the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “may include,”“including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary,“or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example,a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true(or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or notpresent) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (orpresent).

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elementsand components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the description. Thisdescription, and the claims that follow, should be read to include oneor at least one and the singular also may include the plural unless itis obvious that it is meant otherwise.

This detailed description is to be construed as examples and does notdescribe every possible embodiment, as describing every possibleembodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. One could implementnumerous alternate embodiments, using either current technology ortechnology developed after the filing date of this application.

What is claimed:
 1. A computer-implemented method for generating aunique machine-readable code redeemable to retrieve one or moreprescription products, the method comprising: receiving, via one or moreprocessors, via a software application executing on a mobile computingdevice of an individual, an indication of a selection of one or moreprescription products to be retrieved by the individual at a retrievallocation via a scanning of a unique machine-readable code, whereinretrieval of the one or more prescription products is associated withone or more prerequisite tasks required to be completed by theindividual prior to the retrieval; determining, via the one or moreprocessors, a completion status associated with the retrieval of the oneor more prescription products, the completion status being based uponwhether each of the one or more prerequisite tasks has been completedvia the software application; selecting, via the one or more processorsand based upon the determined completion status, from among a pluralityof retrieval stations located at the retrieval location, a particularretrieval station to be used for the retrieval of the one or moreprescription products, the plurality of retrieval stations from whichthe selection is made comprising (i) one or more standard retrievalstations to be used for the retrieval when the one or more prerequisitetasks have not been completed prior to the scanning of the uniquemachine-readable code, and (ii) one or more express retrieval stationsto be used when the one or more prerequisite tasks have been completedvia the software application prior to the scanning of the uniquemachine-readable code; generating, via the one or more processors, anotification associated with the retrieval of the one or moreprescription products, the notification (i) comprising the uniquemachine-readable code associated with the retrieval, and (ii)identifying the particular retrieval station at the retrieval location;and transmitting, to the mobile computing device via the one or moreprocessors, the notification.
 2. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 1, wherein the individual associated with the retrieval of the oneor more prescription products is a patient having a medical prescriptioncorresponding to the one or more prescription products.
 3. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the uniquemachine-readable code comprises a two-dimensional matrix barcode.
 4. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting,via a scanning device located at the particular retrieval station, ascan of the unique machine-readable code; identifying, via the one ormore processors, the one or more prescription products, based upon thedetected scan of the unique machine-readable code; and causing, via theone or more processors, the one or more prescription products to bedispensed at the particular retrieval station.
 5. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising, subsequentto selecting the particular retrieval station: causing, via the one ormore processors, the one or more prescription products to be reserved inan inventory associated with the particular retrieval station.
 6. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising: causing, viathe one or more processors, a physical quantity of space to be reservedin an inventory associated with the retrieval location.
 7. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: causing, viathe one or more processors, one or more labels to be applied to one ormore containers associated with the one or more prescription products,wherein the one or more labels identify the one or more prescriptionproducts and a patient associated with the one or more prescriptionproducts.
 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, furthercomprising: processing, via the one or more processors, a payment forthe one or more prescription products at the particular retrievalstation.
 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving, via the one or more processors, a request tocommunicate with a remote pharmacist, the request initiated by theindividual; and causing, via the one or more processors, a communicationsession to be initiated between the mobile computing device of theindividual and a computing device of the remote pharmacist.
 10. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the uniquemachine-readable code is generated in response to an authorizationgranted by the remote pharmacist after completion of the communicationsession.
 11. A computing system configured to generate a uniquemachine-readable code redeemable to retrieve one or more prescriptionproducts, the system comprising: one or more processors; and one or morememories storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed bythe one or more processors, cause the computing system to: receive, viaa software application executing on a mobile computing device of anindividual, an indication of a selection of one or more prescriptionproducts to be retrieved by the individual at a retrieval location via ascanning of a unique machine-readable code, wherein retrieval of the oneor more prescription products is associated with one or moreprerequisite tasks required to be completed by the individual prior tothe retrieval; determine a completion status associated with theretrieval of the one or more prescription products, the completionstatus being based upon whether each of the one or more prerequisitetasks has been completed via the software application; select, basedupon the determined completion status, from among a plurality ofretrieval stations located at the retrieval location, a particularretrieval station to be used for the retrieval of the one or moreprescription products, the plurality of retrieval stations from whichthe selection is made comprising (i) one or more standard retrievalstations to be used for the retrieval when the one or more prerequisitetasks have not been completed prior to the scanning of the uniquemachine-readable code, and (ii) one or more express retrieval stationsto be used when the one or more prerequisite tasks have been completedvia the software application prior to the scanning of the uniquemachine-readable code; generate a notification associated with theretrieval of the one or more prescription products, the notification (i)comprising the unique machine-readable code associated with theretrieval, and (ii) identifying the particular retrieval station at theretrieval location; and transmit, to the mobile computing device, thenotification.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the individualassociated with the retrieval of the one or more prescription productsis a patient having a medical prescription corresponding to the one ormore prescription products.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein theunique machine-readable code comprises a two-dimensional matrix barcode.14. The system of claim 11, wherein the computer executableinstructions, when executed via the one or more processors, furthercause the computing system to: detect, via a scanning device located atthe particular retrieval station, a scan of the unique machine-readablecode; identify the one or more prescription products, based upon thedetected scan of the unique machine-readable code; and cause the one ormore prescription products to be dispensed at the particular retrievalstation.
 15. The system of claim 11, wherein the computer executableinstructions, when executed via the one or more processors, furthercause the computing system to, subsequent to selecting the particularretrieval station: cause the one or more prescription products to bereserved in an inventory associated with the particular retrievalstation.
 16. The system of claim 11, wherein the computer executableinstructions, when executed via the one or more processors, furthercause the computing system to: cause a physical quantity of space to bereserved in an inventory associated with the particular retrievalstation.
 17. The system of claim 11, wherein the computer executableinstructions, when executed via the one or more processors, furthercause the computing system to: cause one or more labels to be applied toone or more containers associated with the one or more prescriptionproducts, wherein the one or more labels identify the one or moreprescription products and a patient associated with the one or moreprescription products.
 18. The system of claim 11, wherein the computerexecutable instructions, when executed via the one or more processors,further cause the computing system to: process a payment for the one ormore prescription products at the particular retrieval station.
 19. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the computer executable instructions, whenexecuted via the one or more processors, further cause the computingsystem to: receive a request to communicate with a remote pharmacist,the request initiated by the individual, and a communication session tobe initiated between the mobile computing device of the individual and acomputing device of the remote pharmacist.
 20. One or morecomputer-readable media storing non-transitory computer-executableinstructions that, when executed via one or more processors, cause theone or more processors to: receive, via a software application executingon a mobile computing device of an individual, an indication of aselection of one or more prescription products to be retrieved by theindividual at a retrieval location via a scanning of a uniquemachine-readable code, wherein retrieval of the one or more prescriptionproducts is associated with one or more prerequisite tasks required tobe completed by the individual prior to the retrieval; determine acompletion status associated with the retrieval of the one or moreprescription products, the completion status being based upon whethereach of the one or more prerequisite tasks has been completed via thesoftware application; select, based upon the determined completionstatus, from among a plurality of retrieval stations located at theretrieval location, a particular retrieval station to be used for theretrieval of the one or more prescription products, the plurality ofretrieval stations from which the selection is made comprising (i) oneor more standard retrieval stations to be used for the retrieval whenthe one or more prerequisite tasks have not been completed prior to thescanning of the unique machine-readable code, and (ii) one or moreexpress retrieval stations to be used when the one or more prerequisitetasks have been completed via the software application prior to thescanning of the unique machine-readable code; generate a notificationassociated with retrieval of the one or more prescription products, thenotification (i) comprising a unique machine-readable code associatedwith the retrieval, and (ii) identifying the particular retrievalstation at the retrieval location; and transmit, to the mobile computingdevice, the notification.